Raoul’s Restaurant
“the Steak au Poivre is signature, but don't hesitate to try rack of lamb or any of their fish dishes.”
“- If you only order one app, get the OCTOPUS
– BATHROOM – located upstairs, have to climb a spiral staircase.”
“When the crisis first hit many places I loved closed in the West Village and SoHo.”
Raoul’s Restaurant
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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Love this cute little place with lovely paintings on the wall. Right when you walk in there is a good size bar to the left. What I love is that they also have booths!
They were so kind as to accommodate our 6-person reservation that turned into a 7-person dinner. They have this huge booth in the back that seats exactly 7 people.
Dinner started off right with martinis, of course. So glad we had a veteran diner who knew exactly what to order so we left it all up to him.
For 7 people we ordered:
APPETIZERS:
3 – Grilled Octopus with artichoke confit, olive, saffron-fennel puree & pomegranate = $18 each
1 – Frisee Salad with pistachio, lardons & poached farm egg = $15
1 – Market Greens with watermelon radish & Hidden Spring's sheep feta = $13
1 – Jumbo Lump Crab Tartines = $16 each
2 – Artisanal Ham & Truffle Beignets = $13
MAIN COURSE:
3 – Steak au Poivre with hand cut pommes frites = $48 each
1 – Colorado Rack of Lamb with roast green asparagus, seasonal greens, white trumpets & lamb jus = $52
SIDES:
1 – Roasted Farm Beets with house-made yogurt = $8
1 – Pommes Mousseline = $8
TIPS:
– You can split the STEAK between two people. Really.
– Get the fries that come with the steak but also order the MASHED POTATOES – wow, soooooo creamy and buttery and delicious!!
– If you only order one app, get the OCTOPUS
– BATHROOM – located upstairs, have to climb a spiral staircase. Ladies, caution if you are wearing heels or a short dress/skirt. People can literally see your hoo-hah as you climb up.
– The In-house TAROT CARD reader is upstairs
Overall, we all had a great time and our waiter was amazing! Food and drinks were on point. We are definitely coming back! Yaaaaaaaaay!
KenScale: 8.0/10
It is hard to find a restaurant that is both classy and cool. Raoul's, a long-beloved French bistro in SoHo since the 1970s, probably fits that bill. The restaurant has somehow evaded my radar for a long time, but when an out-of-town friend came to visit, I figured this is the right time to finally make the trip. We went for a Sunday brunch, and I was already in love with the sexy décor with eye-catching and provocative photos and posters. The dining space oozes decadence and confidence at the same time. Add to the fact that the food is actually quite good here, and Raoul's is the type of restaurant you would want to visit every once in a while.
The food at Raoul's doesn't scream trendy, modern French, but it shows how classic French bistro dishes should be done. Frisee salad with poached farm egg, lardons, pistachio and Raoul's dressing will certainly impress you with the way that it's really hard to find fault with the dish. It was a simple yet delightful dish that would start your meal on the right note. We also tried the delicious jumbo lump crab beignets with Fresno chile aioli, a brunch-only menu that was very flavorful without being overly heavy. Everyone is talking about good the burger at Raoul's is, so obviously I had to give a try to the famed Raoul's Burger. It was one of the better burgers I've had in the city, the beef patty perfectly cooked medium rare and a hint of spicy kick from watercress and pickles that perfectly neutralized what could've been a heavy dish. While I wouldn't call this burger the best of the city, it definitely belongs in the conversation on the NYC top burgers shortlist. We finished with simple crème brulee that had somewhat uneven temperature but still more or less worked for a dessert.
I'm not sure how difficult it is to get a reservation for dinner at Raoul's, but the brunch seating is definitely more manageable. The restaurant has a full bar, and a glass of brunch cocktails like Bellini or Bloody Mary's should do well to complement your meal. Sometimes, you need to go to classic establishments that have survived decades instead of all the latest, most trendiest restaurants for a change of scenery in your NYC dining experience. You won't regret your dining experience at Raoul's for a classic touch and showing out-of-towners what eating in the city is like.
I went with a group for an early dinner. After learning that Raoul's was our destination, I checked the yelp reviews. Stephanie Y.'s came up first on my feed — her review begins with the word "Meh" and expresses the sentiment that the prices are too high ("YIKES").
The prices are indeed on the $$$$ side, but I think that the cooking and the location sort of justify what's being charged. Lots of New Yorkers agree with me — the place was packed at 8PM on a weekday evening.
We drank two wines, a Sancerre rosé and a St. Joseph; I thought that both were excellent and that they were well priced. (There are more expensive wines, if you want 'em.) The restaurant is over 40 years old; some of the dishes (like the signature steak au poivre) have been served continuously over the life of the restaurant. This is an indication that the style of cooking here is traditional French, which is to say that you get the sort of food that was served in Paris bistros 50 years ago. The people who run this place are not trying to be inventive.
My impression is that kitchen emphasizes heavy sauces. Also, you probably shouldn't come here if you're on a low-salt diet.
I'm glad that I got the opportunity to experience Raoul's and feel satisfied with the value represented by my Raoul's dinner. Nonetheless, I think that there are better choices in the neighborhood, starting with The Dutch (which is across the street). Stephanie's review concludes "If you are looking for a great meal I'd try somewhere else." Yup!
Along with Emily and Emmy Squared, Raoul's serves one of the top burgers in my books. Ugh, just thinking about my experience makes me want seconds.
We all the other Yelpers have noted, come at 5 pm, so you can secure yourself one of the limited seats at the bar – please note that the kitchen doesn't open until 5:30, so you'll have to anxiously wait to place your order until then. Trust me, it is SO worth it.
While waiting, we learned that there's a limited 12 burgers per day because of the bread that's specially made from Amy's bread. Combine that with beef cooked medium rare accompanied with watercress, cheese, and a dipping sauce; ugh it's just pure burger heaven. Our bartender recommended cutting the burger in half and dipping the burger into the sauce with each bite. Each component works perfectly together and that sauce dip really puts and elevates the burger over the edge (my boyfriend and I tried the burger on its own without the sauce and it's good by itself as well). Add fries and it's the perfect meal. Seriously, if this was my last meal, I'd be a happy camper.
Tip – they serve 12 of these on the weekends for brunch, which you can order at the table, so if you can't make it at 5 for dinner, come for brunch!
The best of the best.
This is a requirement each time I visit New York City from Los Angeles. Romantic vibe, with a small venue. Be sure to order the steak au poivre, it's a classic done right. Their chicken entree is excellent as well, and the steak tartare is not to miss. Friendly service, and the in house tarot card reader is legit. Make sure you make a visit to see her on top of the spiral staircase when waiting for your table with a cocktail from the bar.
Order the chocolate fondue dessert and make reservations well in advance. Worth the wait. Very, very, highly recommend this spot. It's been around forever and has stood the test of time.
I showed up 30 min before hey opened to secure a spot for the burger. Granted it was Friday the weekend of July 4th, I figured it would be a good time to make sure to secure a spot at the bar. I was the first one there and had 0 problem getting a spot, although I can't guarantee that is always the case.
The burger is superb, no doubt about it. The quality of the meat is amazing as well as all of the ingredients. The way to eat it is cut it in half and dip it in the sauce which is fantastic. Love the fact that they only serve 12 a day and only at the bar. Ambience is great as well. Will be back!
Considering I came here with a mission, didn't even have to ask for a menu to order, I sure do have a lot to say about this little hideaway on Prince Street!
I wanted to be mad about the whole "12 burgers a day" idea (at the bar only), because I think it is so ridiculous, but I guess I have to give Raoul's props for making something so special and desired!
Seriously though, when I walked in at 5:07, just 7 minutes after they opened, my heart broke when the 9 seat bar was full! I really almost broke down right there, but when Franco, the bartender, aka everyone's best friend, told me that my friends and I would have the 3 remaining burgers, I almost jumped him. Yes, we had to wait until 6:30 to finally get those seats, and yes, we had to watch all other 9 patrons before us drool and swoon over their burgers, but it was worth waiting. Lesson learned hard though, come before the doors open, or you can kiss your burger goodbye.
While we waited we shared some vino, and snacked on some delicious homemade chips with a kick, while standing at the bar. The place is really retro, small and tightly packed. Even to go to the bathroom you have to walk up a spiral staircase to the vintage 2nd floor that smelled like my grandma's house! By the time we got our seats at the bar, the rest of the restaurant for the non-burger eating people was packed!
Anyway, the burger was beautiful. Actually a pretty, pretty burger, but at $19 it should be! Raoul's recommends their burgers medium rare, sliced in half and dipped in their au jus sauce which I've never had anything like before! The peppery jus made the meat just melt in your mouth. Top it off with a canister of fries, enough to feed 3 people, and you've got yourself a really savory, filling meal.
Raoul's is special. I think any burger lover should try it. It was tough enough to get to once, but there were definitely return customers at the bar! Seemed like a classic place where customers return often. Many knowing the owner and bartender, which made me jealous! But don't fret – Franco, the bartender said they don't bend the rules for anyone. He told me celebrities have tried to come in and order a burger and sit at a regular table were denied. Special treatment for no one at Raoul's. Follow the rules, and come before 5!
If you're the type of person who watches Mad Men and wishes you could live in Don Draper's Manhattan, then Raoul's should be one of your favorite bars in SoHo.
To paint a picture, if they were open during the afternoon hours, it'd be the type of place you'd see power suits expensing two martini lunches. Or if Martin Scorsese wrote scripts based on French mafia members, this would be a setting in one of his films. It's got that rich Mahogany, white table cloth, leather bound book feel to it, and seems more apropos to red sauce Italian cuisine than tartare and steak frites. But that's all part of the magic. Raoul's is a throwback to a time that no longer exists, at least not in an appropriated, inauthentic fashion.
My encounters have always happened at the bar, due in large part to the weekday Au Poivre hamburger. They've created a frenzy among those engaged in the New York food scene, as they only serve 12 of these burgers per day, and you can only order at the bar. If you're person #13 to saunter through their door around 5:00pm, chances are likely you'll be eating a burger elsewhere. But if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, you may agree with myself and several others who've come before me, that it might be the greatest burger in America.
If you're a purist and can't fathom a burger with anything but a sesame seed bun and American cheese on top, don't waste your time. This burger is anything but that. This special fella comes armed with an au poivre peppercorn sauce that coats an Amy's challah bun, much in the same way a 'special sauce' might come standard on your favorite fast food hamburger. They use Pat LaFrieda beef, and garnish with cornichons, watercress, and a French triple cream cheese. When it comes to the rights, rituals, and traditions of burgers past, Raoul's clearly gives no fucks. They're cruising down the HOV lane of the highway during rush hour traffic, flipping you off while smoking a cigarette, and looking damn good while doing it. The burger comes accompanied with a side of French fries and a bowl of extra au poivre sauce that ties the entire meal together. Whether dipping your burger straight in the sauce or drenching your fries, this is the proverbial 'cherry on top' that makes the meal.
At $19, it's my favorite in the upper price tiers of burger royalty throughout New York. The elusiveness of ordering aside, there's no reason you should be eating any other burger hovering around the $20 mark than this one.